Myanmar Crisis – 6 months on

How you’re helping people survive and hold on to hope

Since August 2017 more than 919,000 people, mostly women and children fled violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar to seek safety in the refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Today, 1.3 million people are in need of aid in order to survive, and though the influx has slowed dramatically, people continue to arrive at the camps every day.

We asked for your help so they could survive and cope. You gave generously: our Myanmar Crisis Appeal raised over $2.4 million. This was matched by the Australian Government, meaning that almost $5 million has gone towards the international response.

We’d like you to meet some of the survivors of this crisis. Find out how your generosity has made a life-or-death difference.

The crisis isn’t over and your help is still urgently needed. But thank you for all you’ve done.

Inside a field hospital

Australian aid workers take you through a hospital set up to care for people as they arrive

Amount

Your questions answered

Funds raised will assist Red Cross to provide humanitarian support to people and communities affected by violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, including those who have sought safety in neighbouring countries. That support may include:

sending specialist aid workers to assist in assessment, relief, recovery and disaster and crisis management operations, as well as restoring family links

working in affected areas to strengthen local resilience and deliver relief and recovery services

Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the emergency needs of people in affected areas or if there are changes in circumstances beyond Red Cross' control, Red Cross will direct excess funds to responding to international crises and resilience.

Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.

Australian Red Cross ensures that at least 90% of funds raised for an international appeal are spent directly on our emergency response programs. Our appeal and administration costs vary depending upon the type and scale of activity, but do not exceed 10% of funds raised.

Up to 10% is deducted and used for indirect administration and appeal fundraising costs to support our important work: e.g. office facilities, staff, and IT services. Fundraising costs include donor call centres, receipting and website.

In the unlikely event that funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the emergency needs of people in affected areas, or if there are changes in circumstances beyond Red Cross' control that limit our ability to use funds in the affected areas, Australian Red Cross will direct excess funds to help people in other emergency situations abroad. Any interest earned on donations will be invested back into the appeal.

Thanks for your generosity but we are unable to send donated goods to the area. The cost of shipping and storing these products would far exceed the cost of buying items in bulk closer to the source. Here's more information.

Our Red Cross shops around the country will gratefully accept good-quality clothing and household items. These will be on-sold to raise funds to help people in Australia and further afield. Find a Red Cross Shop near you.

Thank you for your kind offer to volunteer. Australian Red Cross does not send volunteers overseas during a disaster or emergency response. In these instances, we would only send trained specialists who have experience working in international emergencies and with Red Cross.